Oldham Athletic's season has got off to a smashing start - albeit not the way they would have wanted after their kitman crashed the team minibus into three of the player's cars.

Mark Coombe joined the Latics this summer on trial, but his hopes of landing the job permanently suffered a blow after the incident at Boundary Park, reports the Manchester Evening News.

It is reported that Mr Coombe was behind the wheel of the club minibus on the way back from the League One side's training ground in Hollinwood when he suffered the prang.

Staff at the Boundary Park side have declined to comment but it is thought that Mr Coombe, who is from Oldham, clipped parked cars as he tried to manoeuvre the bus into a space. He could not be reached for comment.

But a source said that he was ‘devastated’ and had quit immediately after the smash.

They added: “He was distraught and walked out of the club has soon as it happened. We haven’t seen him since and we think he is really depressed about it.

“We’ve tried to get in touch with him but have not been able to manage it. We’re quite worried about him.”

Two of the cars damaged are thought to belong to first team players David Mellor and Anton Rodgers, son of Liverpool boss Brendan.

The other is owned by youth team player Will Kinder who recently passed his test.

Following the bump, second-year scholar Will, from Rochdale, tweeted: “Trust it to be my car someone drives a minibus into.”

He later revealed that his car needed a new bumper and brake light and a pal joked that he would have to get it fixed before his mum returned from holiday.

Oldham are linked to a driving school, Latics Driver Training, and former player Craig Dudley is one of the instructors.

It offers refresher courses which help drivers blow away cobwebs, improve driving ability and build confidence behind the wheel. The company’s website does not state whether it offers staff discounts.